Credit Card Scammer Numbers and How to Protect Yourself

Credit card scammers are a growing concern, with millions of people falling victim to their tactics every year. According to the article, over 1 million credit card scams were reported in the US alone in 2020.

The numbers are staggering, but understanding the facts can help you protect yourself. In 2019, credit card scams resulted in over $1 billion in losses worldwide.

One way to avoid becoming a statistic is to be aware of the common tactics used by scammers. They often use phishing emails or texts to trick people into revealing their credit card information.

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Hackers can get your credit card number through various methods, including phishing attacks, which are often disguised as emails or text messages. In 2022, the FTC received 1.1 million identity theft reports, with nearly half involving credit card fraud.

Card skimming is another common tactic, where cybercriminals install devices on card readers, ATMs, and gas pumps to steal your data. These devices can harvest up to 1,000 credit card numbers per day, as seen in a case where a scammer stole over $30,000 in just three days.

Scammers also use phone calls to trick you into revealing your credit card information. They might pose as a trusted company or representative, claiming there's a payment issue, and try to re-verify your card numbers over the phone.

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Skimming is a sneaky way hackers get your credit card number. They install card skimmers on card readers, ATMs, and even gas pumps, which can be difficult to spot.

These small devices fit over a merchant's card terminal and can harvest your data when you swipe or insert your credit or debit card. Scammers can then use these stolen credit card numbers to fabricate cloned cards.

In just three days of skimming, one scammer targeting gas stations was able to steal more than $30,000 from unsuspecting victims. This is a staggering amount, and it highlights the importance of being vigilant when using our credit cards.

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission received 1.1 million identity theft reports, with nearly half of those involving credit card fraud. This is a sobering reminder of the risks associated with using credit cards.

Hackers often use phone numbers to scam unsuspecting victims. The numbers they use can be very convincing, making it hard to distinguish between legitimate calls and scams.

Some of the most common scam phone numbers include AT&T raffle winners, which can be reached at 904-495-2559. Bank account temporarily on hold scams, on the other hand, often use the number 858-605-9622.

Scammers also use card lock scams, which can be identified by the phone number 878-877-1402. Debit card frozen scams use a similar tactic, with the number 863-532-7969.

Other common scam phone numbers include failed delivery attempt scams, which can be reached at 469-709-7630. Fake Publisher’s Clearing House wins are also a common scam, and can be contacted at 805-637-7243.

Student loan forgiveness scams use the number 202-221-7923, while weight loss and delivery scams can be reached at 312-339-1227. Wells Fargo text message scams use the number 865-630-4266.

Unpaid taxes scams are another common tactic, using the number 347-437-1689. USPS scams, on the other hand, can be identified by the phone number 301-307-4601.

Here are the top 11 scam phone numbers to watch out for:

Phishing scams are a common type of credit card scam, where scammers pose as trusted companies or representatives to gain access to sensitive information.

Scammers use various tactics to trick victims, including phishing over the phone, where they call a local hotel and ask to be transferred to a specific room, claiming there's a payment issue.

Imposter scams are another type of credit card scam, where scammers pretend to be calling from the front desk to re-verify card numbers over the phone.

Fraudsters may also use interest rate deduction scams, where they claim to be offering a lower interest rate to convince victims to provide their credit card information.

Hot spot scams are a type of credit card scam, where scammers target hotel guests, calling them and claiming there's a payment issue.

Some of the most common credit card scams include:

Contact the credit card issuer as soon as you suspect fraud to cancel your cards and reissue new ones.

You can also freeze or lock access to your cards through your mobile banking app to prevent scammers from using them.

Update your account login information by changing your password to something more secure and setting up two-factor authentication (2FA).

Monitor your credit card statements for any suspicious transactions and report them to your bank.

Filing a report with your local law enforcement can establish a paper trail in case you need to contest fraudulent charges.

You can report credit card fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Setting up a fraud alert or freezing your credit can make it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name.

Scammers will often pose as trusted entities, such as hotels or credit card companies, to gain your trust.

They may call you, claiming to be from the front desk, and ask to re-verify your credit card information over the phone. This is a common tactic to get you to provide sensitive information.

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Scammers may also pretend to be from the Security and Fraud Department of Visa or MasterCard, claiming your account has been flagged due to unusual activity. They'll ask you to verify your credit card number, address, and security code.

If you receive such a call, don't give out your security code. Instead, tell the caller you'll contact Visa or MasterCard directly. Credit card companies already have your 3-digit code, so they won't ask you to provide it.

Some common types of credit card scams include phishing scams, imposter scams, and interest rate deduction scams. These scams can be used to gain access to your sensitive information.

Here are some types of credit card scams:

Data breaches can be devastating, exposing sensitive user information to scammers. In August 2023, BankCard suffered a data breach that compromised over 10,000 Americans' credit card numbers.

Scammers exploit security vulnerabilities within a company to gain access to this sensitive information. Data breaches can also compromise other personal data, such as customer account numbers and Social Security numbers.

These types of breaches are a serious concern, and it's essential to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself.

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Familiar fraud is a type of scam where you're targeted by someone you know and trust.

This can be a family member, a friend, or even a neighbor who has access to your personal information. In some cases, these individuals may use your credit card without permission or steal your credit card number.

A disturbing example of familiar fraud is when two caretakers stole over $100,000 from an elderly woman in Florida by making fraudulent purchases on her credit card accounts.

It's essential to be cautious and monitor your accounts regularly, especially if you have family members or caregivers who have access to your financial information.

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A scam is a technique designed to trick you into sharing your credit card details or authorizing payment for something you didn't intend to buy. Scammers often pose as representatives of trusted entities to gain your trust.

They may contact you by phone, asking for your credit card number, security questions, or other personal details. If you provide those details, they can make fraudulent purchases or initiate unauthorized fund transfers.

Scammers may also pretend to be from a credit card company, like Visa or MasterCard, and tell you that your account has been flagged due to unusual activity. They'll ask for your 3-digit security code on the back of your card, which they shouldn't need to verify your account.

If you receive such a call, don't give out your security code. Tell the caller you'll contact the credit card company directly, because they already have that information and won't ask for it.

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Credit card frauds and scams are two distinct deception techniques that can result in financial losses and emotional distress. They're often used interchangeably, but understanding the difference is crucial to protecting yourself.

Credit card frauds involve using a person's credit card or its details without their permission or knowledge. This can happen through various techniques like physical theft, skimming and scanning, or data breaches. In contrast, scams involve convincing the individual to disclose sensitive financial information or make payments under false pretenses.

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Scams can happen via phishing emails, impersonation, or fake sweepstakes, among others. If you're a victim of a scam, you may experience financial loss, unauthorized charges on your account, identity theft, or prolonged credit damage.

The legal implications of these actions vary. Credit card frauds are classified as felonies, carrying serious consequences like 10-year imprisonment, long-term probation, and a fine of up to $10,000. Scams, on the other hand, are often charged as misdemeanors, but can escalate depending on the scope of the scam and the laws of the specific jurisdiction.

Here's a comparison of credit card frauds and scams:

Scammers are getting creative, and we need to stay vigilant. They're pretending to be Visa and MasterCard fraud investigators to get your credit card security codes.

They'll call you, claiming your account has been flagged due to unusual activity. They might even reference their badge number and tell you to call the toll-free number on the back of your card if you have any questions.

Be cautious if they already know your credit card number and issuing bank. They might ask about a specific purchase, and if you say no, they'll then ask for your 3-digit security code on the back of the card.

Don't give out your security code. Instead, tell the caller you'll contact Visa or MasterCard directly. Credit card companies already have your 3-digit code, so they won't ask for it.

If you receive such a call, hang up and contact your credit card company directly.

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